FIRE AND FOREST

CLICK Here for FAQ on Common Area Spraying Program Spring 2025

 

Fire Safety and Mitigation

The good news is that the Redhill Forest hasn’t been ravaged by fire since before settlers came to South Park.  We have trees over 150 years old.  The bad news is that a drier climate and human activity increases the risk of a wildfire.

 

The overall wildfire risk for Redhill Forest is moderate, but then again, no one ever considered the Marshall neighborhoods south of Boulder a high fire risk in December 2021.

 

Download Redhill Forest Fire Mitigation/Spruce Budworm Presentation 2/18/25 

 

The different kinds of ignition risks

In summer, the occasional thunderstorm crosses the Redhill ridge with occasional cloud to ground lightning.   However, the most likely causes would come from the ignition of grass along Colorado 9 from a spark or discarded cigarette, an outside campfire not properly extinguished, or a household accident.

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Fire is the largest threat to life and property at Redhill Forest, and we have assembled a great deal of valuable information on this page that we strongly encourage all our owners to read.

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Required Permit

For owners who camp and owners who have wood-fired fire pits, the Northwest Fire Protection District (located just north of US-285 and CO-9) requires an open fire permit.  You can learn more by calling NWFPD at (719) 270-2967 (automated number) or 719-836-3150 (non-emergency number) or apply for a permit online at: https://nwfpd.burnpermits.com/

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Special Note: Short-term rental properties cannot have open pit wood fires.

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Emergency Fire Response

If you spot a fire in Redhill, call 911 immediately. Response time is critical, and even with a prompt dispatch from Fairplay, it could take up to 30 minutes for a truck to arrive.  Redhill’s community water system has hydrants along all the roads and sufficient water to stop and douse a small lot or fire.  However, if a fire quickly spreads, there will not be enough tank capacity and pressure to suppress a larger fire.  NWFPD would likely call for smaller aircraft drops of fire retardant for a bigger wildland fire. 

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In the event of a larger fire emergency, make sure you are fully familiar with exiting Redhill Forest from either the south or north. People and pets come first, and valuables second. Wildfire survivors always talk about how surprised they were by the speed of the fire. Do not underestimate it. Get out.

 

Do your part

How fire-safe is your camping pad or home? Do you:

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• Have an accessible and long hose for a first response?

• Have up-to-date fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage?

• Check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors periodically and replace batteries twice a year.

• Have wood burning stoves or fireplace chimneys periodically inspected and cleaned?

• Have a spark arrestor on your chimney?

• Self-inspect all your gas devices to ensure there is no gas smell and they operate correctly.

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Fire Mitigation Toolkit Links

• Defensible space and fire-resistant building materials (CSU)

• Retrofit your home to improve defensibility

• Six steps to better home defensibility

• Fuel Reduction (Cal Fire)

• Wildfire and Insurance

• Defensible Space Inspection Services

• Wildfire: Prevent Home Ignition (2 Part Video)​​

• Redhill Forest Defensible Space Policy

 

Check your insurance

One of the most heartbreaking and under-reported stories of the 2021 Marshall fire was how under-insured many families were. You should speak with your broker or agent and carefully read your policy coverage. Most policies do not cover the full replacement value.  Things like foundation replacement and clearing site debris may have limited coverage.  And speaking of replacement value, you should revisit your coverage every year or two to ensure that you adequately insure replacement cost at the prevailing cost per square foot rates — which have been steadily increasing.

 

You should also take photos of the exterior, outbuildings, and the interior (shoot four pictures of all walls in each room) to document fixtures, finishes, and personal effects.  Store these photos digitally on a thumb drive (off-site) and in a cloud account.

 

Another insurance coverage you may want to consider is excess liability, which, for $1-$2+ million of coverage, isn’t very expensive.  Let’s say you light up a tiki torch on the back deck. Your dog sees a chipmunk nearby and, in the chase, knocks the torch over. A big fire ensues, and three burnt houses, and six hours later, the event is over.  Beyond the insurance claim to rebuild your house, an excess liability policy can help shield you from the cost and potential loss of the inevitable litigation that will follow.

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Your Defensible Space Mitigation Plan

We encourage all owners to evaluate their property. If you choose to remove trees and make other landscape adjustments, please download, fill out, and return a Space Mitigation Plan. Click here to download the form.

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FOREST HEALTH

 

There are four major tree species in Redhill Forest.  Ponderosa and bristlecone pines are more on the west side, Douglas firs on the east, and aspens are dotted throughout. The bristlecones are our slowest growing and long-lived, maybe not the prettiest, but they’re certainly the survivors of the forest.

 

Over the past fifty years, accurate weather tracking at Grand Lake has shown a relentless upward graph, with low winter temperatures rising. When we used to have periods of one to two weeks of sub-zero temperatures, both the pine beetles and spruce budworm population would die off substantially. But now the winters are not as persistently cold, allowing these pests to devour millions of acres of pines from Northern Canada all the way into Northern Mexico.

 

Colorado communities have fought these insects with limited success.  While some techniques work, the size of infestations is economically overwhelming.

 

Spruce budworm

The spruce budworm is a common pest in Colorado that can cause significant damage to spruce and fir trees. The larvae of the budworm feed on the buds and needles of the trees, which can cause defoliation and reduced tree growth. To prevent infestations, it is important to look for signs of the budworm, such as small, brown, cone-like structures on the branches of the tree, and to take steps to remove or control any found infestations. This can include using insecticides or other chemical controls and physically removing the budworm by hand. Additionally, maintaining the overall health of the trees through proper pruning and fertilization can help to reduce the risk of infestations. Colorado State University has published a good guide, and you can click here to download it.

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Many owners are beginning to spray their lots and seeing improved results. To effectively kill the larvae, spraying for Spruce Budworm must happen in May or early June. One contractor owners have had good experience with is:

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Mark Lewis 
JetCo PO Box 1872
Buena Vista, CO 81211
719 395-8811
jetcobv@gmail.com
 

Pine beetle

Pine beetles are a common pest that can cause significant damage to pine trees. To prevent infestations, it is important to take steps to maintain the overall health of the trees, as healthy trees are less susceptible to attacks. This can include proper pruning, fertilization, and irrigation. Additionally, it is important to watch for signs of infestation, such as small, round holes in the bark, and to remove or control any infestations found as soon as possible.

 

One of the most effective ways to prevent pine beetle infestations is to remove and destroy any infested trees and any trees that are heavily infested with the beetles. This can be done by cutting down the trees and leaving them to dry in the sun or by chipping them into small pieces and removing them from the area. Other preventative measures include using insecticides or other chemical controls and natural predators such as parasitic wasps or birds to control the beetle population.

 

Another strategy is to thin out the forest, reducing competition for resources and making it harder for beetles to move from tree to tree. Controlling invasive plants and reducing fire risk are also important for keeping the forest healthy.

 

Keep in mind that the measures will vary depending on the local context. The best solution is to consult with local forestry experts and entomologists to obtain a proper diagnosis and plan of action.

 

PINE-SPECFIC INFORMATION

 

Bristlecone pines

(Pinus longaeva) are a species of tree known for their ability to survive in harsh, arid environments and are considered one of the oldest living organisms on earth. However, they are still susceptible to several diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that bristlecone pines are susceptible to include:

 

1. Fungal diseases, such as Armillaria root rot, can cause the tree's roots to rot and die and can also spread to other trees in the area.

2. Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.

3. Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.

4. Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, can weaken the tree over time.

5. Bark beetles can tunnel into the tree's bark and cause extensive damage or death.

6. Pine needle scale can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.

 

Ponderosa pines

(Pinus ponderosa) is a species of tree widely distributed across western North America and is an important species in many forest ecosystems. Like other trees, ponderosa pines are susceptible to various diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that ponderosa pines are susceptible to include:

 

1. Fungal diseases, such as Armillaria root rot, can cause the tree's roots to rot and die and can also spread to other trees in the area.

2. Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.

3. Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.

4. Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, can weaken the tree over time.

5. Bark beetles can tunnel into the tree's bark and cause extensive damage or death.

6. Pine needle scales can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.

7. White pine blister rust is caused by a fungus that infects the tree's needles, branches and can ultimately kill the tree.

8. Diplodia tip blight, a fungal disease that causes shoot and branch dieback and cankers on the branches and trunk, can weaken and kill the tree over time.

 

Douglas fir

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a species of tree widely distributed across western North America and is important in many forest ecosystems. Like other trees, Douglas firs are susceptible to various diseases and pests that can cause damage or death to the tree. Some common diseases that Douglas firs are susceptible to include:

 

1. Fungal diseases, such as Armillaria root rot, can cause the tree's roots to rot and die and can also spread to other trees in the area.

2. Needle cast diseases caused by fungal pathogens can cause the needles to turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely.

3. Pine wilt, a disease caused by a nematode that clogs the tree's water-conducting vessels, causing the needles to turn yellow and the tree to die.

4. Pine rusts, which can cause yellow or orange spores on the needles and branches, can weaken the tree over time.

5. Bark beetles can tunnel into the tree's bark and cause extensive damage or death.

6. Pine needle scale can cause yellowing and stunted growth of the needles.

7. Cytospora canker, a fungal disease that causes cankers on the branches and trunk and can ultimately kill the tree.

8. Fusiform rust is a fungal disease that causes swellings on the trunk and branches. Over time, it can weaken and kill the tree.